Documents released by the bank indicate that he may have been given tacit approval by Paul Tucker, deputy BoE governor, to adjust Libor rates to be more in line with other banks after Whitehall expressed concern lest Barclays appear to be in trouble.

A day after he insisted he had no intention of stepping down, Bob Diamond resigned as head of Barclays Bank effective immediately, bowing to pressure from lawmakers outraged over the manipulation of Libor rates on his watch.